Wikipedia:Swearing is Permissible
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 | This page in a nutshell: Using curse words is not inherently uncivil. While such words can be used to intensify personal attacks, they are not prima facie demonstrations of incivility. |
Some editors are under the impression that using profanity (swearing, or cursing) is against the rules. On the contrary, swearing is not prohibited in Wikipedia project spaces. While curse words should be used only with care, merely using a curse word does not, by itself, represent incivility. They are rarely encouraged, because while they may not be uncivil, they also seldom foster an environment of civility, but there are many times where their use is not considered objectionable by the community.
As with anything, too much can be considered disruptive, which is prohibited. For instance, a post containing a very large number of swears is likely to be viewed as aggressive. A post entirely composed of swears may be removed outright as vandalism or trolling. Even in the below list of usually acceptable uses, overusing swears or if used in the context of an otherwise borderline uncivil post may lead to sanctions. However, the sanctions would always be for something such as incivility, disruptive editing, or some other policy reason; no sanctions will be applied simply for "cursing".
Note that many of the rarely acceptable or always unacceptable examples already verge on incivility, even without the swear word.
Usually acceptable uses of swears
[edit]Describing oneself: Ex: "I can't fucking believe it.", "I'm getting so damn mad."
Discussing a source or situation: Ex: "We shouldn't use that book; it's full of shit.", "Oh hell, not this website again..."
Intensifiers for instructions to not post on one's own talk page: Ex: "Fuck off" "Get the hell off my talk page"
Acronyms of the above: Ex: "WTH?" (What the hell?), "WTF is going on here?" (What the fuck), "LMFAO" (Laughing my fucking ass off)
Rarely acceptable uses of swears
[edit]Intensifiers for instructions for editors in project space: Ex: "Go outside and touch some damn grass.", "Stop fucking reverting my edits."
Questioning other editors: Ex: "What the hell are you trying to accomplish?" "Why do you care so damn much?"
Edits in article space (See WP:PROFANE)
Always unacceptable uses of swears
[edit]Describing other editors: Ex: "You're a fucking idiot", "He's a douchebag."
Racial, ethnic, religious, or other slurs (see WP:HID)